Sarasota film office launches TV idea contest

Got an idea for a TV show? The Sarasota County Film and Entertainment Office wants to know. It has developed a new contest called "TV Me!" to seek out fresh ideas for television.

Grand prize for the contest: A trip to LA to pitch your idea to industry professionals.

“There is no other contest quite like this,” said Jeanne Corcoran, director of the SCFEO. “Unlike ordinary competitions that require full-length scripts for television, screenplays for movies, or manuscripts for novels, our competition accepts only short (five-to-15-page) ‘pitches’ of a concept for television programming. It’s like a fast and forceful ‘elevator pitch’ where you give the most powerful and concise summary possible.”

Concepts with a Florida-based twist get extra points in the contest, but storylines can venture far beyond the community. The contest is open to U.S. citizens ages 18 and up. Additional prizes will be given for other noteworthy concepts. Look for my story on this in the coming days via the Bradenton Herald.

In the meantime, here's what you need to know about the contest:

Individuals as well as creative teams may compete for awards and prizes in three categories:

• scripted series (from comedy to drama, animated to children’s programs, science fiction to hybrids and other genres of recurring and/or series television),

• unscripted/partially scripted (reality programs, game shows, demonstration/training programs such as cooking, crafts, skills, documentary, interview and investigative programs, etc.), and

• one-offs (single standalone programs such as an award or sporting event, a movie-of-the-week, a special televised gala, benefit, tribute, fundraiser, concert, staged performance, etc.).


Contestants will pay for entries via an online form and then submit concepts via email. No hard copies of submissions will be accepted. Entry fees range from $15 to $30 per concept, depending on date of submittal. Information: http://www.filmsarasota.com/.

- January Holmes